Child Sexuality and Sexual Behavior; Expert Report 2001-123-20

Date

2001

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to shed light on child sexuality, primarily by reporting current research on the normal sexual behaviour of children as well as the state of knowledge of problematic child sexual behaviour. The starting point has been to refer to as much recent empirical research as possible, including international and Swedish studies. The question of what is to be considered “common/normal” or “deviant” sexual behaviour in children has become increasingly relevant in recent years due to the attention paid to the problematic area of child sexual abuse. Many professional groups working with children are faced with situations where they are expected to be able to assess the behaviour of children and take the action necessary. It is therefore important to seek to reduce the uncertainty in interpreting behaviour, by increasing awareness of the psychosexual development of children. Sexuality can be seen from various and, to a certain extent, opposing viewpoints, on the one hand as biologically based and thereby guided by biological processes which can be encouraged or disturbed during childhood. The opposing theory is based on sexuality being a social construct determined by the structure of the surrounding society. In between these lie various modified theories on biology interwoven with social constructs. What is “normal” and “deviant” behaviour is thus not set in stone but changes over time, place, society and culture. Studies in Sweden and internationally have indicated that children in the home and, for example, in preschools demonstrate a number of different behaviours which can be linked to the body, sexual identity and sexuality but that more explicit sexual behaviour which imitates adult sexuality is uncommon. Children who are found to have been the victims of sexual abuse on the other hand can display “sexualised” behaviour. When seeking to determine whether behaviour of a sexual nature should be seen as problematic, and grounds for concern or possible professional intervention, a number of factors should be taken into account. Besides the behavior in itself, it is important to look at the child’s entire situation: level of development, anxiety, shame, guilt, pain, relationships with adults and friends, the environment in which the child lives and is growing up and the total family situation, etc. What is considered to be sexualised behaviour, with an explicit sexual content, may be due to the child having been the victim of abuse, but it is important to be aware that similar behaviour can also have other causes. It is easy to make child sexuality invisible in our society. This can lead to children becoming confused and left to more impenetrable sources of information to try to understand their sexuality. It is vital that in particular those who encounter children in a professional capacity are aware of how the sexual behaviour of boys and girls can be expressed so as to be able to identify natural psychosexual development as well as those behaviours which indicate a departure from the norm and the causes this may have. More research is required in this respect as well as broad arenas in which professional groups who come into contact with children in their professional work can meet. (Author Summary)

Description

Keywords

child sexual behavior, evaluation, International Resources, Sweden, research

Citation

Larsson, I. (2001). Child Sexuality and Sexual Behavior; Expert Report 2001-123-20. Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. 42 pp.

DOI